Newsmagazine for Leif Höegh & Co ASA (LHC) No 3 - 2002 CONTENTS LHC 75 years 2 Snøhvit LNG 3 Chairman of the SCA 4 Opinions 5 The Green Effort 6 HUAL in Suez 8 HFS Billboard 10 Port Captains 12 Market HUAL in Suez outlook 14 Quarterly report 15 Newsmagazine for Leif Höegh & Co ASA No 3- 2002 Newsmagazine for Leif Höegh & Co ASA No 3 - 2002 LHC 75 years Snøhvit LNG vessel no.1 is unconditional! Thursday 13 June 2002, Leif Höegh & Co celebrated its 75th Höegh LNG announces the removal of the final conditions anniversary with an afternoon reception for employees and of the Time Charter Party Agreement signed in December guests in Shippingklubben in Oslo. In the relevant environment 2001, with the Snøhvit Seller Group, following the overlooking the Oslo harbour, words were shared by the permission of the European Free Trade Area's President Tor Jørgen Guttormsen and Chairman Westye Höegh Surveillance Agency (ESA) to use a controversial tax emphasising the solid foundation for the future these 75 years scheme in the development of the Snøhvit LNG project. have grown to be. The Charter Agreement is for a 20 year charter of a 147.000 cm A good position in an LNG vessel to be built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with delivery in 2005. The vessel will be operated by Höegh uncertain world LNG/HFS and owned in a partnership with Mitsui OSK Lines and Statoil. Negotiations of a T/C agreement for a second LNG In spite of great uncertainty in the world vessel for the Snøhvit LNG project are in its final stages. Höegh economy, we have just reported strong LNG is hoping for a confirmation and signing of this deal in the results for the first half of 2002. very near future. For more information about the Snøhvit gas field and LNG transportation, see Höegh Dialogue #1-2002. A rebound in US economy has been hoped for and expected by many towards the end of this year. However, financial markets have continued to reflect uncertainty through e.g. the Contract for Airbus’ LHC grants anniversary weakening of the US Dollar and falling share prices. I am very happy that, even under these A 380 components endowment circumstances, the company has been able to deliver satisfactory results and a strengthening Airbus and FR.E.T.-CETAM SAS, a newly established The Norwegian of the balance sheet. The 1st half results are French company owned 50/50 by Louis Dreyfus Seamen's Church presented in this issue of Höegh Dialogue. Armateurs (S.N.C.) and Leif Höegh & Co ASA, have in London is Some projects reported at an early intentional concluded an agreement for the transportation of A celebrating its stage have now been confirmed and I would 380 components between Hamburg, Cadiz, Mostyn, 75th anniversary like to take this opportunity to express my St. Nazaire and Bordeaux. The agreement has a in June 2002. In satisfaction with the dedication the teams duration of 20 years and can be extended another 10 recognition of this involved have revealed in concluding these years. event, the Church projects: has been The agreement involves the ordering of an advanced Ro/Ro completely The contract for the prestigious AIRBUS vessel at the Chinese shipyard Jinling. The vessel refurbished and project, outlined in an earlier issue of Höegh specifications make it possible to carry both aircraft Dialogue, was finally signed in Toulouse on 29 Leif Höegh UK components and other Ro/Ro cargo. The vessel will be was asked to May as a result of excellent teamwork in HUAL, delivered during the first quarter of 2004 and fly the French make a donation. CETAM and our 50% partner Louis Dreyfus flag. Airbus has an option to call for an additional vessel to be Armateurs. built for delivery in 2007 as the production of A 380 aircrafts In light of Leif grows. (See also Höegh Dialogue #1-2002.) Höegh & Co ASA About a year ago LHC jointly with Mitsui O.S.K. sharing the same Lines won the bid for an LNG carrier for the anniversary, LHC Snøhvit gas field development. Finally on 31 has granted May this year, the ESA (European Free Trade £10,000. Area's Surveillance Agency) approved the Norwegian Parliament’s tax scheme for the development of the project and the contract was confirmed. In the meantime, a lot of work has been put in developing different aspects of the project. Well done! Let us use the summer holidays to charge the HöEGH DIALOGUE: batteries for the exciting challenges ahead! Published by: Leif Höegh & Co ASA Editorial staff: Charles Jensen, John S. Vestby and Mot Vandenberghe. Tel. 22 86 99 56, fax 22 86 99 45, e-mail: [email protected] T.J. Guttormsen Clockwise from top: Chairman Westye Høegh and President Tor Jørgen Journalist/editing: Stian Aakre, e-mail: [email protected] President Guttormsen. The view from Shippingklubben. Håvard Gimse and Tone Layout/graphic design: BRAVE Reklamebyrå as Leif Höegh & Co ASA Bråthen performing. Westye Høegh and Ove Høegh with their sons Circulation: 2,800 Morten and Leif O. respectively. 2 3 Newsmagazine for Leif Höegh & Co ASA No 3 - 2002 Newsmagazine for Leif Höegh & Co ASA No 3 - 2002 Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority: Admiral Ahmed Aly Fadel During HUAL’s visit to Egypt 27 - 29 April, Höegh Dialogue got the unique opportunity to interview the Chairman of the of running every kind of ship through the canal. If you ask about Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Admiral Ahmed Aly Fadel. He holds a key position in Egyptian politics and national matters with anything, you will find it in our equation - really. a seat in the government and a direct line to the President of Egypt from his desk. In this exclusive appearance he states his opinion on both HUAL as a significant client in the canal as well as his view on terrorism in relation to 11 September Are there any ongoing or upcoming major projects to enlarge, 2001. We met him in the headquarters of the SCA in Ismailia where his office overlooks the canal and Lake Timsah. deepen or rebuild parts of the canal? I think you may have noticed that the dredgers are working. We have a good fleet of various kinds of dredgers. We are in the world where conferences or sessions concerning sea trade continuously using this fleet to widen and deepen the canal. We take place, you will find one of our representatives. Whether ceased using subcontractors in the early 1990’s. Ever since, we discussions are about liners or tourist cruises, we are have done the work ourselves and we reached 54, 58 and now 62 participating. Speaking of tourism, we experience many feet depth with our own fleet. We reached 62 feet in June last Mediterranean and Canary Island cruise companies wanting to year. We are now able to let 1,250,000 tons transit per day, spend time in our warm and stable climate and sheltered waters. compared to 1,000,000 tons per day before. All in all, we do our best to be present wherever sea trade is discussed. Admiral Ahmed Aly We are planning to reach 66 feet by 2006 and we are really Fadel studying a How did 11 September affect the Suez Canal and its operation? forcing this phase. Our next goal will be to reach 72 feet depth previous issue of In my opinion a recession started long before 11 September 2001 throughout the canal by approximately 2011. Höegh Dialogue. both in Europe and in America. The tragedy in the USA made this recession go quicker. We have also noticed this recession here in the canal and the insurance dues increased by 6% to cover anticipations. In this coloumn we intend to let the readers speak freely their opinions. (Opinions may be edited due to shortage of column space.) Is the Suez Canal believed to be a target for international OP! N! ONS terrorism, and if so, which countermeasures are implemented or planned? We have always had anti-terrorism in mind, not just since 11 September and not only here in SCA, but in Egypt as a whole. And if you go to the newspapers you will find that our President Mercy in mind, achievement in hand did his best to awaken the world’s attention to this problem. No one listened at that time, even though we suffered from it. Most seamen wish for ordinary days and memorable people are good and decent. Do not lose faith in people or let But of course after the first incident, measures were taken against failure ruin your joy for life! everything concerning terrorism. We are part of the country - and events, but even more for a good income, satisfactory like everyone in Egypt we are responsible to take our place in the working circumstances, perhaps a promotion at work Some seamen do not earn their living at sea from choice, which national plan against terrorism. It should be added that we nearly and hopefully a comfortable relationship with co- may cause homesickness and depression. In these situations, succeeded in eliminating the presence of terrorists in Egypt workers. Captain Quintin A. Mangohig is a kind captain who showed us several years ago. We believe we are safe here now through our mildness and care, who learned us about social interactions and measures and precautions and we will be so also tomorrow. My seaman’s dream came true when I joined HFS on my first car obligations and who particularly encouraged conversation to carrier on 20 November 2001.